Insertion of isocyanides into actinoid–nitrogen bonds of biscyclopentadienyluranium mono- and bis-(dialkylamides)

Abstract

Isocyanides react readily with Ucp₂(NEt₂)₂(cp = cyclopentadienyl) and U(C₅Me₅)₂(NEt₂)Cl giving iminoalkylamido insertion compounds: starting from Ucp₂(NEt₂)₂ and an excess of isocyanide or form the monoinserted compound, a second insertion occurs, affording the highly symmetrical bis(iminoalkylamido) compounds; ¹H n.m.r. data indicate the importance of a ‘carbenoid’ resonance hybrid and nitrogen lone-pair donation to the ‘carbenoid’ carbon atom.